Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 93

Erin's POV

The morning sun filtered through the towering windows of Silvermoon Academy, casting golden streaks across the polished floors. My heart hummed with a warmth I couldn't suppress, a secret glow that made every step lighter.

Amy matched my pace, her dark curls bouncing as she leaned closer, eyes glinting with mischief. "Erin, what's got you grinning like you've won the pack lottery?"

Her voice was teasing, but her gaze was sharp, searching for answers. When I didn't reply, just let my smile widen, she gasped dramatically, clutching my arm. "Oh, don't tell me... did the Alpha finally make his move last night?"

The question hit like a spark, and I jolted, heat flooding my cheeks. My fingers fumbled with the strap of my bag, and I shot her a look, half-exasperated, half-mortified. "Amy!" I hissed, but the blush creeping up my neck betrayed me.

She grinned, undeterred, skipping a step to keep up. "Come on, spill! I need details!"

I ducked my head, letting my hair fall like a curtain to hide my face. My voice dropped to a whisper, as if the walls themselves might eavesdrop. "He... he said I could call him Soul Bond. When we're alone."

Amy's eyes widened, sparkling with delight. "No way! That's huge, Erin! He's letting you in—his heart's practically yours."

My chest tightened, a mix of hope and conviction swirling within me. "I think so," I murmured, my fingers twisting together.

If this isn't love, what is? Derek's guarded smiles, the way his eyes softened when he thought I wasn't looking—it had to mean something. He's just too stubborn to say it. But I'll be the one he chooses. I will.

---

The classroom buzzed with chatter as I settled into my seat for our group project session. The professor's instructions echoed in my mind, and I found myself assigned to a table with Bradley—Derek's brother, of all people. I kept my expression neutral, determined not to let old tensions flare. To me, he was just a classmate now, nothing more.

But Bradley's gaze was relentless, his dark eyes fixed on me as if I were a puzzle he couldn't solve. My pen tapped restlessly against my notebook, the scratch of it drowned out by the professor's lecture. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Bradley, can you stop staring?" My voice was sharper than I intended, and I crossed my arms, glaring.

He leaned back, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "Can't help it, Erin. You're... distracting."

I rolled my eyes, forcing my attention back to the lecture, but his presence was like a thorn under my skin. When the class ended, our group lingered to plan the project. The other two members suggested meeting that afternoon.

"I can't make it," I said, keeping my tone even. "I've got work at the company this afternoon."

The girl's eyes flicked to the ceiling, her disinterest palpable. "Fine. Bradley, you coming?" she asked, tossing her hair.

Bradley's gaze slid to me, then back to her. "If Erin's not there, I'm out too."

My jaw dropped, and I turned to him, incredulous. "What?"

He shrugged, unfazed. "Let's split the work. Erin and I will take one half, you two take the other. I'll work with her."

"Excuse me?" I snapped, standing so fast my chair scraped against the floor. "I'm part of this group too. You don't get to just decide for me!"

Bradley's smirk didn't waver. "Majority rules, dear."

I clenched my fists, heat rising in my chest. "Whatever." I grabbed my bag, storming toward the door.

"Erin, wait." Bradley was on his feet, his voice softer now, almost pleading. I paused, reluctantly turning to face him. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual confidence faltering. "I only suggested it because I know your schedule's tight. I was trying to help."

I sighed, my anger deflating slightly. "Fine. So how's this supposed to work with your schedule?"

"Call me after work," he said, his tone earnest. "We'll figure it out then." He hesitated, then added, "I've been thinking a lot, Erin."

I raised an eyebrow, wary. "About what?"

He took a step closer, his voice low. "I'm done making things hard for you. From now on, I won't bother you."

My brows shot up, surprise mingling with skepticism. "You're serious?"

"Yeah." He extended a hand, his expression open, almost vulnerable. "Friends, Erin. Maybe it'll make things... easier between us."

I stared at his hand, then at him, searching for any hint of a trick. Slowly, I took his hand, giving it a cautious shake. "Okay. Friends. Let's see how that goes."

---

Weeks later, the weight that had once pressed on my shoulders was gone. I moved through the company's sleek offices with a newfound ease, my smiles brighter, my voice softer. Colleagues nodded as I passed, their glances warm with a respect I hadn't noticed before. It was as if my transformation—both as a werewolf and as a woman—had finally taken root.

As I sorted files for Derek, a young woman from marketing approached, her expression hesitant. "Miss Blackwood? Could you... maybe ask the Alpha for a favor for me?"

I paused, a stack of papers still in my hands. "Why do you think he'd listen to me?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She smiled, almost conspiratorial. "Oh, come on. After that presentation meeting? You saved our supervisor's skin. Everyone knows you've got the Alpha's ear."

My mind flashed back to that tense investor meeting. The marketing supervisor had stood before the room, his face pale as he fumbled with his laptop, the files he needed gone. Derek's steely gaze had pinned him in place, and the silence in the room was suffocating. I'd felt the weight of every eye, but my own pulse had thundered in my ears.

"Alpha," I'd said, rising from my seat, my voice steady despite the nerves clawing at my chest. "I can help. I have a backup of the data on my tablet."

Derek's gray eyes had locked onto mine, sharp and unreadable, like a storm waiting to break. The room held its breath. My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped my bag, but I refused to falter. "Five minutes," I added. "I can get it on the main screen."

He'd studied me for a heartbeat, then gave a curt nod. "Three."

I'd moved like lightning, pulling out my tablet. The backups weren't perfect—gaps in the data glared at me—but I filled them in on the fly, my fingers flying over the screen as the clock ticked. When the supervisor resumed his presentation, I felt Derek's gaze linger, a quiet intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Afterward, he'd called the supervisor aside, his voice low and lethal. "You owe Miss Blackwood for your job today. Don't let this happen again."

Then, in front of everyone, Derek had turned to me. "Well done," he'd said, his tone carrying a weight that made my chest swell. "This is the kind of team member I need."

That moment had shifted something in me. For a young werewolf still finding her place, it was a mark of trust, a sign I belonged.

The marketing employee's voice pulled me back. "Please, Erin. My sister's sick, and I can't travel to the site right now. I just need a few more days to finish the report."

I sighed, setting the files down. "Alright. I'll talk to him. But three days, max. Got it?"

Her face lit up, and she clasped her hands together. "Thank you, thank you!"

---

I carried the documents to Derek's office, my posture straight despite the curious glances from other employees. My knock was firm, and his deep "Come in" sent a familiar flutter through my chest. Inside, Derek stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, his broad shoulders tense. His jaw was set, a muscle ticking beneath the stubble.

"I'll handle it in person next week," he snapped into the phone, then tossed it onto the desk with a clatter. The air around him crackled with restrained fury, and my stomach twisted. But I'd learned to navigate his storms.

I crossed the room, placing the files before him with deliberate care. His eyes traced me, slow and deliberate, lingering on the curve of my hips, the dip of my waist, before meeting mine. The gray in his gaze flickered with gold, his wolf stirring. My breath caught, but I kept my voice soft.

"The files you asked for, Alpha."

He picked up a document, scanning it briefly before leaning back, his eyes closing for a moment. When they opened, the storm had calmed. "You look... radiant today," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent warmth pooling in my core.

I smoothed my skirt, suddenly hyper-aware of his scrutiny. "Is everything okay?" I asked, concern creeping into my tone.

He tapped the desk twice, a restless gesture, then held out his hand. "Come here, little wolf."

My body moved before my mind caught up, drawn to him like a moth to flame. His hand was warm, strong, pulling me onto his lap. The hard planes of his thighs pressed against me, and I settled against his chest, the steady thud of his heartbeat grounding me.

"What's wrong, mate?" I murmured, using the name he allowed only in these stolen moments. "What's got you so angry?"

His fingers wove through my hair, grazing the nape of my neck. My skin prickled, a shiver running through me as I fought the urge to arch into his touch. "The gathering in Darkwood territory," he said, his voice vibrating against me. "It's been moved to another pack's land. A power play."

I tilted my head to meet his gaze, but the movement brushed my cheek against his jaw. The rough stubble sent a jolt of heat through me, and I pulled back, my pulse racing. "So... what's the plan?"

His eyes gleamed, a predator's edge in them. "We attend. In person. I need to remind them who leads Darkwood."

"We?" I blinked, nearly slipping off his lap in surprise. His arm tightened around my waist, holding me close, and I felt the heat of him, the evidence of his arousal pressing against me. "You want me to go?"

His thumb grazed my lower lip, the touch igniting a fire in my veins. "What's this, little wolf? Afraid?" His voice was a low growl, teasing yet commanding. "Or do you not wish to stand at my side?"